Empower vs. Mint: Which Was the Better Free Finance App? (2026)
Our Verdict: Mint was the free budgeting champion. Empower (Personal Capital) was the free investment tracker. Mint is gone; Empower remains. For users who need both budgeting and wealth tracking, pair New Day Budgeting (free) with Empower (free) for the best of both worlds.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | New Day Budgeting | Empower vs Mint |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Active (Empower) | Discontinued (Mint) |
| Price | Free | Was free (ad-supported) |
| Budgeting | Basic | Good |
| Investment Tracking | Excellent — core feature | Basic |
| Net Worth | Yes | Limited |
| Retirement Planner | Yes — detailed | No |
| Credit Score | No | Yes |
| Ads | Wealth management upsell | Financial product ads |
| NDB Alternative | Pair Empower + NDB (both free) | Complete free financial toolkit |
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | New Day Budgeting | Empower vs Mint |
|---|---|---|
| Empower | ||
| Mint (was) | ||
| New Day Budgeting |
Pros and Cons
New Day Budgeting
Pros
- Empower's investment tracking is best-in-class and free
- Empower's retirement planner is excellent
- Mint was the most accessible free budgeting app
Cons
- Empower's budgeting is too basic for serious budgeters
- Mint is gone
- Neither had AI or gamification
Empower vs Mint
Feature Comparison
| Feature | New Day Budgeting | Empower vs Mint |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Active (Empower) | Discontinued (Mint) |
| Price | Free | Was free (ad-supported) |
| Budgeting | Basic | Good |
| Investment Tracking | Excellent — core feature | Basic |
| Net Worth | Yes | Limited |
| Retirement Planner | Yes — detailed | No |
| Credit Score | No | Yes |
| Ads | Wealth management upsell | Financial product ads |
| NDB Alternative | Pair Empower + NDB (both free) | Complete free financial toolkit |
Our Verdict
Mint was the free budgeting champion. Empower (Personal Capital) was the free investment tracker. Mint is gone; Empower remains. For users who need both budgeting and wealth tracking, pair New Day Budgeting (free) with Empower (free) for the best of both worlds.
Who Should Choose What?
- Array
- Array
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Empower still free?
Yes. Empower's financial dashboard, investment tracking, and retirement planner are completely free. They monetize through an optional wealth management service for accounts over $100,000.
Can Empower replace Mint?
For investment tracking, yes. For budgeting, no. Empower's budgeting features are very basic. New Day Budgeting is a better Mint replacement for actual budgeting needs.
What is the best free combo for budgeting and investing?
New Day Budgeting (free) for daily budgeting with AI and gamification, plus Empower (free) for investment tracking and retirement planning. Together they beat any single paid app.